Hi Everyone,

I am celebrating year 5 of having a very successful weight loss surgery! I was 63 when I had sleeve surgery done, so it is never too late to have weight loss surgery!!!!

This was very best choice I have ever made in my life. I had my Weight Loss Surgery in Oct 2008. After a lot of investigating and considering all the doctors and places I could have my surgery. I made the choice to have Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli Mexico do my surgery. I was a self-pay, and believe me I really checked out every option there was. I was an older person and I really took my time to figure out what was best for me. I talked to a lot of different people who had already had weight loss surgery about who their doctors were.

It wasn’t something I rushed into. It took me about 6 months before I knew for sure that I was going to the right place for me. I also made the choice to have VGS aka the sleeve. I lost of total of 105 pounds and it took me 14 months to do this. Was it easy, yes and no? The 1^st month was the hardest month I had to do. After that it just kept getting better and easier each month. It is NOT a magical cure. It is my tool to allow me to use to reach my goal. The big question you are thinking is have I maintained my weight loss goal? The answer is YES, I fluctuate between 5 to 7 pounds sometimes. I still eat healthy, make sure I get enough Protein and stay away from too many carbs. It accurately is a lifestyle change NOT a diet. It is easy for me to live like this and eat like this for the rest of my life. I have some really delicious meals and I never feel deprived at all. Do I eat deserts, yes and it is made healthy and is extremely good. Do I eat deserts every day; the answer is no. I love all the lifestyle changes I have made in my life and it will always work for me.

I was the person who hated to exercise. Now I do something every day. Last Sept, I thought I would just see if I could walk 7 days a week for a month and I did just that. Well that became a good habit and I walked EVERY DAY for one YEAR without missing a day. Yes, I walked outside when it was raining or not nice weather—I am always coming back home, so I will get dry if I get wet while walking. I walked between 3 ½ miles to 4 miles a day. Five years ago, I could have never walked that much. Find some type of exercise that you like and it will be easier to do. Start out slow and then add to it. You don’t have to do it 7 days a week, but do something at least 3 or 5 times a week.

I want you to know that you too can become successful at weight loss. I am 68 now and life is so different for me. If you are thinking about having weight loss surgery, I am living proof that it does work and you can do it too.

Suzanne Beaty

Sleeved Oct 21, 2008

Edited October 22, 201312 yr by Suzannesh

So much of the stuff you have done is amzaing' date=' but this This is remarkable. Very few people are able to accomplish at this level. Congratulations on your success. Your work has really paid off. And thanks for posting this to help inspire others.[/quote']

Hi,

WOW I am remarkable. What a compliment. It just seems to be a way of life for me. I would get up take a shower and go walk. It was one of my better habits that I started. I didn't say this in my post. But, in Sept my husband and I went to New Zealand and Australia for a month to have a vacation and see some friends. We walked more over there. We walked about 5 to 6 miles a day. I told him here we are on vacation and walking more than we do when we were home. It was fun and we never felt like we walked that much. I wear a "Nike Fuelband" and that motivates me to walk. My hope is to inspire people! I want them to know that they can do this too!

Hugs,

Suzanne

Awesome and inspiring! Thank you so much for posting!!!

You are an inspiration!

Thank you so much, I appreciate your comments.

Hugs,

Suzanne

Thank you so much for sharing your success! Congratulations! I find your story so motivating.

Hi, thanks so much for taking the time to write what you did. It was so nice.

Hugs,

Suzanne

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was so good to read this. You truly are amazing and inspiring to me as a "newbie". I'm 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and to read your story gives me so much hope that this CAN and WILL last if I work at it.

Wonderful update! So glad that you are "here", and congrats on your continued success!

Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss! Thank you so much for sharing your experience this far out post surgery, you are very inspirational for me.

Awesome and inspiring! Thank you so much for posting!!!

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read my post and enjoying it. I just want people to know that Weight Loss Surgery does work and you can be successful too. Hugs, Suzanne

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was so good to read this. You truly are amazing and inspiring to me as a "newbie". I'm 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and to read your story gives me so much hope that this CAN and WILL last if I work at it.

Hi, Oh, I have been right where you are too. So I do remember how reading these posts helped me so much. The unknown is the hardest things. I want you to know that each day it just keeps getting better. I am always here if you have any question or you are having a hard time. You can do this too. Hugs, Suzanne

Wonderful update! So glad that you are "here", and congrats on your continued success!

Hi, thanks for taking the time to say the nice things you said. Life is good and I just want others to know 5 years down the road that they can do this too. Hugs, Suzanne

Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss! Thank you so much for sharing your experience this far out post surgery, you are very inspirational for me.

You are so very welcome. I always loved seeing that years down the road people still posted here and let others know that they can be successful too. So I try to give back and let others know that this can happen for them too. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Oh, I have been right where you are too. So I do remember how reading these posts helped me so much. The unknown is the hardest things. I want you to know that each day it just keeps getting better. I am always here if you have any question or you are having a hard time. You can do this too. Hugs, Suzanne

You are too sweet:) Thanks so much, I may have a question or two from time to time...Hugs right back to you

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm just starting this journey at age 59. I am still pre op, but am looking forward to post op. I have been having 2nd thoughts from time to time thinking I am too old for this. Obviously, I am not!!!

Awesome. Congrats. THANK YOU so much for sharing. I love hearing from veterans!

Thanks so much for checking in. Although I've been maintaining for more than 1.5 years and I'm 2.5 years out from surgery, I'm still afraid of regain. I've read many people regain between years 3 and 5, so I really appreciate hearing your success at 5 years.

Walking is my favorite exercise too.

Lynda